|
| Date: | September 12, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
|
| Senators Kruse, Hall Participate In Summit In Effort To Stop Spread Of Asian Carp |
St. Paul- In an effort to stop the spread of Asian Carp into Minnesota waters, Senator Benjamin Kruse (R-Brooklyn Park) and Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) participated in a summit Monday, September 12, 2011 with Governor Mark Dayton, representatives of Minnesota’s congressional delegation and other key stakeholders. Participants heard from DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr and DNR Division Director Steve Hirsch outlined Governor Dayton’s proposed action plan. This plan included asking Congress to give the Army Corps of Engineers emergency permission to close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Lock and Dam #1 (Ford Dam).
Senator Dan Hall is the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
“Asian Carp is an invasive species that will have a destructive impact on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers if left unchecked. This is an infection that we need to deal with now to prevent it from becoming a full-fledged disease that harms businesses, residents and visitors,” said Senator Hall. “I am specifically concerned about the Minnesota River, as it passes through my district. As Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, I am glad to take part in the summit today and I am hopeful we can reach a solution soon.”
Senator Benjamin Kruse represents Senate District 47 and authored legislation to mitigate the spread of invasive species.
“The Mississippi, which runs directly through my district, is and always has been a working river with robust fishing and recreation industries. Those Minnesota businesses and the jobs they provide are at risk due to Asian Carp. This is a serious issue for District 47’s local economy and our environment. I authored legislation funding improvements to the existing Coon Rapids Dam so that it could function as a barrier to invasive species like Asian Carp,” said Senator Kruse. “While today’s meeting was productive, it focused primarily on ecological issues and the effectiveness of various solutions. I stressed to the Governor that equally as important are the economic repercussions of his proposed plan. Furthermore, before any authority is granted to close the locks, the Commerce Department should organize a task force to prepare Minnesota’s business community.”
